More Articles police & fire

comment

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - After serving seven years as the Westchester County Police Commissioner, George Longworth has announced his retirement, ending a law enforcement career that spanned nearly four decades.

Longworth is officially stepping down from his position on Tuesday, ending a 35-year career that saw him at the helm of two prominent police departments in the county.

Before becoming commissioner in January 2010, Longworth began his career as a patrolman with the Department of Public Safety while still enrolled at Mercy College. He went on to work for the NYPD before making his way to the Dobbs Ferry Police Department, where he served for 27 years prior to becoming chief at age 32.

Longworth initially retired from law enforcement to practice law after leaving Dobbs Ferry in 2007. He returned in 2010 and will once again return to practicing law when he officially steps down on Jan. 2.

During his tenure as police commissioner, Longworth has been credited with creating the Real Time Crime Center, which delivers instant information to officers in the field and is already paying dividends. The department’s participation in federal-local task forces has also expanded with him at the helm.

Longworth oversaw a multi-million dollar renovation of the Westchester County Police Academy and centralized the county police crime lab and Forensic Investigation Unit. Specialized units have all been expanded and community outreach have been improved on his watch.

“It has been my privilege to be the Westchester police commissioner these last eight years,” Longworth said in a statement announcing his retirement. “I am proud of all we have accomplished at the county police. The department is well prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”